Mine case assembly



June 13, 1961 J,IMQRCQM ETAL 2,987,996

MINE CASE ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 50, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 H4 lNVE/VTORS R. J. MORCOM R. G. STRAUSS F H G 1 E.H. LORENZ BY Z0054;

June 13, 1961 Filed Jan. 30, 1957 R. J. MORCOM EI'AL MINE CASE ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG-.3.

//V|/E/V7'0f?$ R. J. MORCOM R. G. STRAUSS E. H. LORENZ BY Mam.

June 13, 1961 R. J. MORCOM ETAL 2,987,996

MINE CASE ASSEMBLY Filed Jan. 50, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG.4.

I/VI/E/VTORS R. J. MORCOM R.G. STRAUSS E. H. LORENZ NEY June 13, 1961 Filed Jan. 30, 1957 R. J. MORCOM ETAL MINE CASE ASSEMBLY 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS R. J. MORCOM R. G. STRAUSS E. H. LORENZ 2,987,996 MINE CASE ASSEMBLY Richard J. Moi-com and Robert G. Strauss, West Hartford, Conn., and Edward H. Lorenz, deceased, by The Connecticut Bank & Trust (10., executor, Hartford, Conn, assignors, by mesne assignments, to the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy Filed Jan. 30, 1957, Ser. No. 637,340 6 Claims. (Cl. 102-10) The present invention relates to a mine and more particularly to improvements in the construction of submarine mine cases.

More specifically the invention contemplates the provision of a new and improved buoyant submarine mine case assembly suitable for use with a magnetic controlled firing mechanism and constructed preferably of. nonmagnetic material such, for example, as manganese-nickel steel. Furthermore, the mine case is constructed and arranged to prevent spurious signals such, for example, as eddy currents from effecting the sensitive magnetometer controlled firing mechanism contained therein and thus prevent premature explosion of the mine.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved nonmagnetic mine ease for submarine ordnance.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved nonmagnetic mine case for containing a sensitive magnetometer controlled firing mechanism and preventing operation thereof in response to spurious underwater signals.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a nonmagnetic mine case having new and improved means for securing and supporting the mine components therein.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a central longitiudinal sectional view of a mine case constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1';

1 FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mine case with the upper cover plate removed;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 4-4; of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of the instrument rack employed with the mine case; and,

FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the charge compartment employed with the mine case of FIG. 1.

Referring now to. the drawings. and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 10 generally indicates the mine case comprising a pair of hemispherical members 11 and 12 composed of suitable nonmagnetic material such, for example, as manganese-nickel steel. Disposed between the members 11-12 and preferably welded thereto is an annular element 13 having a pair of inwardly extending mutually spaced circumferential flanges or ribs 14 formed therewith, the element 13 preferably being composed of the same type of material as the members 11-12; The members 11-12 are each provided with a plurality of equally spaced, longitudinally extending ribs 15, disposed circumferentially about the inner surfaces thereof and welded thereto and to their respective flanges 14- thereby to reinforce and fabricate the case against deformation in response to external hydrostatic pressure, the ribs being also composed of nonmagnetic material.

The member 11 is provided with an inwardlyextending States Patent 0 2,987,996 Patented June 13, 1961 annular flange 16 at the upper end thereof bordering on a centrally disposed opening 17 formed in the member 11, the flange having secured thereto in any suitable manner an annular. element or ring 18 composed of nonmagnetic material such, as the type heretofore mentioned. A suitable sealing gasket 19 is disposed between the ring- 18 and a cover or plate 21, the gasket being maintained in sealing engagement with the cover on ring by a plurality of nuts 22 threaded on a plurality of mutually spaced studs 23 respectively, in abutting engagement with the cover, the studs being carried by ring 18. The cover 21, nuts 22 and studs 23 are composed of suitable nonmagnetic material.

The member 12 is provided with an inwardly extending flange 24 at the lower end thereof bordering on a centrally disposed opening 25 formed in the member 12, the flange having secured thereto in any suitable manner an annular element or ring 26 composed of nonmagnetic material such, for example, as the type heretofore mentioned. A suitable sealing gasket 27' is disposed between the ring 26 and a cover or plate 28, the gasket being maintained in sealing engagement with the cover 28 and ring 26 by a plurality of nuts 31 threaded on a plurality of mutually spaced studs 32 respectively in abutting engagement with the cover 28, the studs 32 being carried by ring 26; The cover 28, nuts 31 and studs 32 are composed of suitable nonmagentic material. The cover 28 has secured thereto as by bolts 33 or the like a casing 34 for supporting and enclosing a conventional arming device, safety mechanism and booster charge, it being understood that a sealing arrangement similar to the structure for sealing covers 21-2-8 may be employed to provide a watertight joint between the cover 28 and casing 34.

As more clearly shown on FIGS. 1 and 2 a support generally indicated by the reference character 35 is disposed within the member 12 in spaced relation with respect to the cover 28, and comprises a well 36 having an annular flange 37' integrally formed therewith and extending outwardly therefrom, the flange 37 being secured to the member 12 and. ribs 15 in any suitable manner such, for example, as by welding the parts together.

A charge compartment generally indicated by the reference character 38v is disposed within the case 10 and comprises a tubular member- 39 composed preferably ofa laminated, phenolic plastic material'having atop wall 4-1 and a bottom wall 42 composed of a macerated canvas-base, phenolic plastic material and sealed to the tubular member 39 by any suitable adhesive which is chemically inert. The member 39 is provided with a pair of hoops or bands 43 arranged externally about the upper and lower ends; thereof respectively, the upper end: ,being further provided with an internal ring 44 having a, plurality of lifting eyes integrally formed therewith to, facilitate handling and lowering the charge compartment; into the mine case 10. The aforesaid hoops may be securedtothe member 39. at the upper and lower endsthere. of by means of flushfitting, copper rivets or the like there-..

by .to provide additional structural reinforcement for the.

, FIG. 6. The end wall or plate 41 is provided with a plurality of bosses 46-47 integrally formed therewith, bosses 47 each carrying a pair of stud bolts 48, bosses 46 each carrying a single stud bolt 49. The purpose of the stud bolts 48-49 will, be, more fully apparent as the desar n. pr eed A plurality of rods 51 are pivotally mounted on support 35 as at 52 and composed of nonmagnetic steel or the like. The rods each carry a clamping element 53 comprising a plate 54 having a pair of mutually spaced flanges 55 formed therewith in engagement with and straddling the terminal end of the compartment 38. A plurality of brackets 56 are Welded to the case 11, the brackets each having a turnbuckle 57 pivotally mounted thereto as at 58 and connected and secured to the rod 51 by a nut 59 threaded on the rod in abutting engagement with the turnbuckle as at 61. By this arrangement the charge compartment 38 is securely locked within the case and longitudinal and lateral movement thereof is prevented, the turnbuckle arrangement, however, provides means whereby the charge compartment may be centered within the mine case.

It will be noted in FIGURE 1 that the end wall 42 is provided with a recess 62 for receiving and supporting one end of the casing 34 whereupon the booster charge contained therein is substantially surrounded by the mine charge.

An instrument and battery rack generally indicated by the reference character 63 is mounted on and secured to the charge compartment 38 and comprises a base plate 64 and a top plate 65 clamped together by a plurality of rods or bolts 66, FIGS. 1 and 5, the plates being composed of laminated, phenolic plastic material, the rods being composed of nonmagnetic steel and provided with a spacer 67 composed of any material suitable for the purpose such, for example, as rubber or the like. A U-shaped locking member generally indicated by the numeral 68 is pivotally mounted on each end of the base plate 64 by a block 69 preferably composed of brass or the like, the members 68 comprising a pair of mutually spaced rods 71 secured to the top plate 65 by nuts 72, the rods being provided with spacers 73 and connected by a bight portion 74 which pivotally mounts the locking members on the blocks 69. By this arrangement the instruments and batteries are locked and maintained in position within the rack 63 in such a manner as to prevent displacement thereof. The bottom or base plate 64 of the rack 63 is secured to the charge compartment 38 by the aforesaid stud bolts 48-49 which pass through openings formed in the base plate and are provided with nuts 75 threaded thereon in abutting engagement with the base plate as more clearly shown on FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. A pair of lifting elements 70 are secured to the top plate 65 by the aforesaid rods 71 and nuts 72 to facilitate handling of the rack whereupon the rack may be readily placed in position within the case.

The case 10 is provided with, a conventional hydrostatic clock 76 and hydrophone 77, the clock being sealed to the member 11 and the hydrophone being sealed to the member 12, the sealing and securing means for the clock and hydrophone may be constructed and arranged in a manner similar to the arrangement shown for sealing and securing the cover plates 21-28.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that a new and improved mine case assembly has been devised comprising a mine case, a charge compartment, and an instrument and battery rack wherein means are provided for locking the aforesaid compartment and rack within the case against longitudinal and lateral movement and in which the case and component parts thereof are composed of nonmagnetic materials selected only after numerous tests and thorough consideration of their physical, chemical and nonmagnetic properties and their relative cost and availability. Moreover, the resistivity of the nonmagnetic steel components of the assembly is substantially 68 microhm centimeters and the magnetic permeability is not in excess of 1.0031 at a magnetizing force of 200 oersteds.

'Obviously many modifications and variations of the present'invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that'within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A fabricated mine case composed of nonmagnetic steel comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular nonmagnetic element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a plurality of mutually spaced oppositely disposed reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and welded to the inner surfaces thereof, an explosive filled compartment disposed within said members, a plurality of clamping devices pivotally mounted on one of said members for clamping said compartment thereto, a rack disposed within said members in engagement with said compartment and secured thereto, means mounted on the compartment in engagement with said rack for securing the rack to the compartment, and means carried by said rack for locking a battery of mine components thereto.

2. A fabricated mine case composed of nonmagnetic steel comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular U-shaped nonmagnetic element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a plurality of oppositely disposed reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and welded to the inner surfaces thereof, a charge compartment disposed within said members, a plurality of clamping devices including a plurality of rods pivotally mounted on one of the members for clamping said compartment thereto, a rack disposed within the other member in engagement with said compantrnent and secured thereto, means mounted on said compartment in engagement with said rack for securing the rack to the compartment, and means pivotally mounted on the rack for locking a mine control mechanism and a plurality of batteries thereto.

3. A fabricated mine case composed of nonmagnetic steel comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular nonmagnetic element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a pair of mutally spaced reinforcing flanges integrally formed with said annular element, a plurality of mutually spaced reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and welded to the inner surfaces thereof with the terminal ends thereof in engagement with said pair of flanges respectively, a charge compartment arranged within said case, a plurality of rods pivotally mounted within said case, a clamping device mounted on each of said rods in engagement with said charge compartment for locking said compartment to said case, a rack in engagement with said charge compartment and secured thereto, a plurality of stud bolts carried by said charge compartment, means threaded on said stud bolts in engagement with said rack for securing the rack to the compartment, and a pair of locking devices pivotally mounted on said rack adapted to be brought into clamping engagement with a mine control unit for locking said unit to the rack.

4. A fabricated mine case composed of nonmagnetic steel comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular nonmagnetic element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a pair of mutually spaced reinforcing flanges integrally formed with said element and extending'inwardly therefrom, a plurality of mutually spaced longitudinally disposed reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and welded to the inner surfaces thereof with one terminal end thereof in engagement with said pair of flanges respectively, a support disposed within one of said members and welded thereto, a charge compartment disposed within said case and locked to said support, a pluralityof rods pivotally mounted on said support, a clamping device on each of said rods and having a pair of lugs in locking engagement with said compartment for locking the compartment to said support, means including an adjustable element secured to said case and each of saidclamping devices for maini l ng the clamping devices in locking engagement with said compartment thereby to prevent displacement thereof, a rack in engagement with and secured to the compartment, a plurality of stud bolts carried by the com-partment, means threaded on said stud bolts in engagement with said rack for securing the rack to the compartment, and a plurality of U-shaped devices pivotally mounted on said rack in clamping engagement with a mine control unit for locking said unit to the rack.

5. A fabricated mine assembly composed of nonmagnetic material comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a pair of mutally spaced reinforcing flanges integrally formed with said annular element and extending inwardly therefrom, a plurality of mutually spaced longitudinally disposed reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and welded to the inner surfaces thereof in engagement With said flanges respectively, a support disposed within one of said members and welded thereto, a charge compartment disposed within said one member and locked to said support, a plurality of rods pivotally mounted on said support, a clamping device mounted on each of said rods and having a pair of mutually spaced flanges in locking engagement with said charge compartment, means threaded on the free end of each rod in engagement with said clamping devices respectively for maintaining the clamping devices in locking engagement with the compartment, adjustable means pivotally secured to said one member in engagement with each of said clamping devices for moving the compartment laterally and centering the compartment with respect to the case, a rack in engagement with and secured to the compartment, a plurality of stud bolts carried by the compartment, means threaded on said stud bolts in engagement with said rack for securing the rack to the compartment, a pair of mutually spaced blocks carried by said rack, and a pair of U-shaped devices pivotally mounted on said blocks respectively in clamping engagement with a mine control unit for locking said unit to the rack.

6. A fabricated mine assembly composed of nonmagnetic steel, the resistivity of which is substantially 68 microhm centimeters and the magnetic permeability thereof is not in excess of 1.0031 at a magnetizing force of 200 oersteds and comprising a pair of hemispherical members, an annular U-shaped reinforcing element disposed between said members and welded thereto, a plurality of mutually spaced longitudinal reinforcing ribs carried by each of said members and Welded thereto, an explosive compartment disposed within one of said members, a plurality of adjustable clamping devices including a plurality of rods pivotally mounted on said one member for clamping and centering said compartment within said one member, an instrument rack disposed within the other member and secured thereto, means including a plurality of fasteners carried by said compartment for securing said rack to the compartment, and pivotally mounted locking means on said rack for locking an instrument unit thereto.

No references cited. 

